No business has a more important bearing on the substantial and healthful growth and development of a community than the real estate business, and of this Mr. Swartz is a most prominent representative. He belongs to that class of citizens whose success is attributable entirely to their own efforts. Absolute capability often exists in specific instances, but is never brought into the clear light of the utilitarian and practical life. Hope is of the valley, while effort stands upon the mountain top; so that personal advancement comes not to the one who hopes alone, but to the one whose hope and faith are those of action. Thus is determined the full measure of success to one who has struggled under disadvantageous circumstances, and the prostrate mediocrity to another whose ability has been as great and opportunities wider. Then we may well hold in high regard the results of individual effort and personal accomplishment, for cause and effect here maintain their functions in full force.

Mr. Swartz is very widely and favorably known as a real estate, insurance and loan broker. Real estate and insurance business is a most important factor in the material prosperity of a community. A casual observer can form no conception of the important position held by the active, enterprising agent, devoted to the work of buying and selling real estate, establishing values and otherwise stimulating property holders to the great improvements it lies within their power to make. Ira T. Swartz is one of this class. The judicious principles which he upholds in his transactions, the competency with which he investigates points connected therewith, are securing for him a large and deserved patronage.

The life record of such a man cannot fail to prove of interest to the readers of this volume. He was born at St. Paris, Champaign county, Ohio, February 18, 1873, and is a son of Dr. C. L. Swartz, now a prominent and successful physician of St. Louis, Missouri. The father also was a native of Champaign county, where he began the study of medicine, completing the course in St. Joseph, Missouri. He practiced in Versailles, Ohio, for eleven years, and there secured a large, lucrative patronage. He was known as one of the active and prominent citizens of that locality, but desiring a broader field of labor he removed to St. Louis, Missouri, where he is now in charge of a large and important practice, having gained a place among the leading representatives of the medical fraternity in that city. His wife bore the maiden name of Miss Elizabeth Oram, and was a daughter of Samuel Oram, of Champaign county, Ohio. His people were among the pioneers of that county, having emigrated from Maryland. Mrs. Swartz's grandfather, David Oram, was numbered among the heroes of the Revolutionary war, and his son David was a leading citizen of Montgomery county, where for several years he served as a county commissioner. On the paternal side also Mr. Swartz is descended from good old Revolutionary stock, the great- grandfather having aided the colonies in their struggle for independence. The grandfather, Isaac Swartz, was a native of Champaign county, where his parents had established a home during an early epoch in its pioneer history. They made their way westward from Charleston, Virginia, where their people had been prominent for many generations.

Mr. Swartz, of this review, acquired his education in Urbana, Ohio, and there entered upon his business career as a life insurance agent. He afterward conducted business along that line in Dayton and in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and in 1890 he came to Piqua, where he has since gained a place among the most eminent and successful business men of the city. He is a real estate and insurance agent and loan broker, and in the conduct of his business affairs he has met with signal success. A local paper said of him : "He is an enterprising young business man who not only puts life and energy into his affairs but makes it a point to deal honestly with patrons and use careful judgment in his real estate transactions, keeping himself posted on values." Although his residence in Piqua covers a period of only ten years, he has in this time built up a business whose proportions seem almost phenomenal. He handles both city and country property, including residences, business houses and farms, and it is a well known fact that he never represents property or gives advice that will benefit himself to the detriment of his patron. His loan business, too, has steadily increased. He loans money on any terms desired, on chattel mortgages or real estate security. He represents the American Fire Insurance Company, of New York, which was established in 1857; the Manchester Company, of England, established in 1824; the United Fire Insurance Companies, of Baltimore, established in 1849; the German Insurance Company, of Pittsburg, established in 1862; and the Union Central Life, of Cincinnati, as their loan agent in this county. He loans money for some of the large insurance companies, and has ample private funds under his control. He also represents the Inter-State Savings Investment Company, of Cincinnati, and the Indemnity Savings & Loan Company, of Cleveland, Ohio.

Mr. Swartz was united in marriage to Miss Susie M. Williams, of Lena, Ohio, a daughter of Bricker Williams. They now have an interesting little daughter Ethel Marie, who is three years old. Their pleasant and attractive home is the center of a large circle of acquaintances and its hospitality is enjoyed by many friends. Both Mr. and Mrs. Swartz are members of the Baptist church, and he is a Democrat in his political views. As a public-spirited citizen he takes a deep interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of Piqua and to its progress along social, moral and material lines. With the advantage of talents amounting to genius, and with an inherent brilliancy and versatility of mind that rests only with the reward of high achievement, Mr. Swartz's continued success is established, while no more glowing tribute can be paid than that his eminence has been reached by the exercise of his own abilities.